Wire terminal loop former



Jan. 11, 1949.v c. L. SI -iERMAN 2,458,536

WIRE TERMIKAL LOOP FORMER Filed Feb. 12, 1945 Im e/Q Q? I GZawrerzaa Sher/72am Mi? 1% i Patented Jan. 11, 1949 WIRE TERMINAL LOOP FORMER C. Lawrence Sherman, Cherry Valley, 111., assignor of one-half to Joe Tabor, Belvidere, Ill.

Application February 12, 1945, Serial No. 577,407

with make-shift means, and the fact that the' loops formed in that way are not at all uniform in size or shape, and hence work don-e in that way does not present a good workmanlike appearance.

former of a type somewhat resembling a pair of pliers, which is of a size and weight so that the workman can easily carry it in the pocket of his overalls to be accessible immediately whenever needed, and which is adapted to form a neat loop of the size desired merely by the closing of the handles of the tool after the stripped end of the wire on which the loop is to be formed has been properly inserted in the tool.

It is, therefore, the principal object V of my invention to provide a wire terminal loop 18 Claims. (Cl. 140-104) A salient feature of the present tool is the provision of a rotary die which is slidably mounted with respect to the frame of the tool for movement transversely with respect to the wire-gripping jaws in the commencement of the loop forming operation to make a reverse bend in the strip ed end portion of the wire before the die is turned to form the loop, whereby the resulting loop has its center in line with the wire, instead of being in ofiset relation thereto. The one hantil of the tool, the section being taken in a plane behind the cover plate, and

Figs. 3 and 4 are views showing a wire before and after the forming of the loop.

The same reference numerals are applied to:

corresponding parts throughout the views.

The tool is shown substantially full size in Fig. l, and comprises a hollow head or frame member 5 of channel cross-section onto which a cover plate 6 is fastened by the nuts I, 8 and 9 that thread on the projecting bolts Ill, H and I2, respectively. These bolts pass freely through holes provided in the cover plate, and the bolts It and I! provide pivots for the handles [3 and I l. The cover plate 6 has an outwardly project- ,turn therewith meshing with the rack 38.

ing lug provided thereon, as indicated at 15, con stituting a stationary wire-gripping jaw, the shoulder l6 on the inner end of which serves as a stop for engagement by the insulation H on the wire l8 when the stripped end !9 of the wire is inserted in the tool, as shown in Fig. 1. 2B is a movable wire-gripping jaw provided on the upper end of a slide 2| which works in a vertical guideway 22 provided in the narrower upper end portion 23 of the frame member 5. The handles it and [4 are pivoted in the oppositesides of the wider lower end portion 24 of the frame'member 5, and thehandle M has a lug 25 which projects inwardly and fits freely in a slot 26 provided therefor in the lower end portion of the slide 2! to provide an operating connection between the handle I l and the slide, so that the jaw Zil is moved upwardly toward the jaw 15 to grip the insulated portion ll of the wire is when the handles l3 and M are closed between the thumb and fingers of one hand. The cover plate 6 is cut away below the jaw l5, as indicated at 21, to provide operating clearance for the movable jaw 20,

and a grasshopper type spring 23, which is coiled around the bolt H and has a stationary end 29 abutting the inside of the frame member 5 and a movable end 30 looped around the projection 31 on the handle M, serves normally to hold the jaw 26 in a retracted position and return the jaw to that position after it has been operated by the closing of the handles just as soon as the handles are released.

The handle l3 also has a grasshopper type spring 32 cooperating therewith, the fixed end 33 of which has abutment with the inside of the frame member 5, as shown in Fig. 2, and themovable end 34 of which is looped around a projection 35 on the handle, whereby normally to hold the handle I 3 in the full-line position shown in Fig. 1. A lug 3t projecting from the pivoted end of the handle I 3 has its outer end entered freely ina notch 31 in the lower end of a rack 38 This rack is reciprocable in a guideway 39, one side of which is provided in the frame member 5, and the other side of which is provided in a slide dothat is guided for reciprocatory movement in the narrower upper end portion 23 of the frame member between the stop 4! and the bolt l2. A cylindrical die 42 is pivotally mounted on the slide 40, and has a pinion 43 suitably fixed to A pin 44 projects from the center of the die 42, and another pin 45. is provided on the die in radially spaced parallel relation to the pin M,

these two pins cooperating, as will soon appear, to form the loop 46 in the Wire (see Fig. 4). Notice that the center of the loop 46 falls on the center line .ry of the wire l8. This is by virtue of the reverse bend 41, the forming of which is illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. Without this reverse bend, it is obvious that the loop-would 'be'in ofiset relation to the wire. The reverse bend is formed in the initial closing movement of the handle [3 when the stripped end IQ of the wire, by reason of its lying between the pins 44 and 45, resists turning of the die 42, as a result of which the die is given lineal movement with the slide 40 and rack 38 to the extent indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, thereby making the bend at 41. At the limit of lineal movement, that is to say when the slide 40 reaches the bolt 12, the rack 38, in the further closing movement of the handle I3, turns the die 42 by means of .the pinion 43, and in this rotary movement of the die the pin 45, moving circlewise around the pin 44, bends the wire into the loop 46. A gauge plate 48, projecting from the frame member 5 on the opposite side from the wire-gripping jaws l5 and 20, indicates to the operator the proper length for the stripped end portion is to form the loop 46, so that the operator will not provide too much wire for this purpose. On the other hand, the operator may provide a shorter length of stripped end portion I9 whenever he desires to form a hook instead of a complete loop, as, for example, when it is desired to make a hookon connection and avoid the necessity for removing a nut from a terminal. The gauge plate 48 is indicated as removably secured to the frame member 5 by a screw 49, so that a different gauge plate for a shorter or longer length of stripped end portion 19 may be fastened onto the tool. A leaf-spring 5B is preferably provided acting .between the upper end of the frame member 5 and. the slide 40 to return the latter to the stop 41 when the handle I3 is released, whereby also to return the die 42 to the starting position automatically. It is, of course, apparent that a number of differentdies may also be provided interchangeable with the die 42 to enable forming loops of different diameters, such dies having center pins 44 of different radii and having the pins 45 differently spaced radially from the center pins to meet the different requirements. An oblong hole 50' is provided in the cover plate next to the jaw 15 to expose the die 42 and provide operating clearance therefor for its lineal movement.

The operation of the tool is believed to be clear from the foregoing description.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding of the objects and advantages of my invention. The appended claims have been drawn to cover all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

I claim:

'1. Ina hand-operable wire-bending tool, the combination .of a frame, a pair of handles pivoted relative to saidframe, a pair of Wire gripping jaws, one of which is provided on the frame and the other of which is movable with respect thereto, means operatively connecting the movable law with one of said handles for movement therewith to wire gripping position in the closing movement of said handle, a die rotatable on said frame adjacent the jaws having a center pin and another pin projecting therefrom. in radially spaced relation to the center pin to bend wire around the center pin in the rotation of the die, and means operatively connecting the rotary die with the other handle for wire bending rotation in the closing movement of said handle.

2. In a wire-bending tool, the combination of a frame, a pair of handles pivoted relative to said frame, a pair of wire-gripping jaws, one of which is provided on the frame and the other of which is movable with respect thereto, means operatively connecting the movable jaw with one of said handles for movement therewith, a die rotatable on said frame adjacent the jaws having a center pin and another pin projecting therefrom in radially spaced relation to the center pin to bend wire around the center pin in the rotation of the die, means operatively connecting the rotary die with the other handle for rotation in the movement thereof, one of said jaws having a shoulder provided thereon for abutment by the end of the insulated portion of an electric wire preliminary to the gripping of said insulated portion, and a gauge projecting from said frame on the opposite side of said die from said jaws and at a predetermined distance therefrom for indicating the length of stripped wire required to form a loop.

3. In a Wire-bending tool, the combination of a frame, a pair of handles pivoted relative to said frame, a pair of wire-gripping jaws, one of which is provided on the frame and the other of which is movable with respect thereto, means operatively connecting the movable jaw with one of said handles for movement therewith, a die rotatable on said frame adjacent the jaws having a center pin and another pin projecting therefrom in radially spaced relation to the center pin to bend wire around the center pin in the rotation of the die, a slide supporting said die for lineal movement transversely with respect to a wire gripped in said jaws, means limiting such lineal movement, and means operatively connecting said slide and die with the other handle for lineal movement jointly and rotary movement of the die alone thereafter in the closing movement of said handles.

.4. In a wire-bending device, the combination of a frame, wire-gripping means thereon, a rotary die, means slidable on the frame transversely with respect to the wire gripped by said gripping means rotatably supporting said die, a center pin projecting from said die and companion pin on said die in radially spaced substantially parallel relation to the center pin between which the wire to be formed into a loop is adapted to be extended from the gripping means, a pair of operating handles adapted to be moved relative to said frame to opened or closed position, and means operable by said handles in their closing movement for giving the slide lineal movement to a predetermined extent and the die rotary movement through a predetermined angularity.

5. In a wire bending device, the combination of a frame, wire-gripping means thereon, a rotary die, means slidable on the frame transversely with respect to the wire gripped by said gripping means rotatably supporting said die, a center pin projecting from said die and a companion pin on said die in radially spaced substantially parallel relation to the center pin between which the wire to be formed into a loop is adapted to be extended from the gripping means, a pair of operating handles adapted to be moved relative to said frame to opened or closed position, means operable by said handles in their closing movement for giving the slide lineal movement to a predetermined extent and the die rotary movement through a predetermined angularity, a stop on said wire-gripping means for engagement by the end of the insulated portion of an electric wire, and a gauge on said frame on the opposite side of said die from said gripping means and in a predetermined spaced relation thereto for indicating the length of stripped wire required to form a loop.

6. A wire terminal loop former, comprising a hollow frame member having a relatively narrow upper end portion and a relatively wide lower end portion, handles pivotally mounted in the opposite sides of the wider lower end portion of said frame member, spring means normally spreading said handles apart, a fixed jaw on the narrow upper end portion of said frame member, a movable jaw spaced therefrom carried on a slide guided in the narrow upper end portion of said frame member, means operatively connecting the lower end of said slide with the adjacent one of said handles for reciprocatory movement in the oscillation thereof, another slide guided for reciprocatory movement in the narrow upper end portion of said frame member in a direction transversely relative to a wire gripped between said jaws, a die rotatably mounted on the latter slide carrying a center pin and another pin in radially spaced relation to the center pin, a rack and pinion for transmitting reciprocatory and rotary movement to said die, and means operatively connecting the rack with the other of said handles for reciprocation of the rack in the oscillatory movement of the handle.

7. A device as set forth in claim 6, wherein one of said jaws has a shoulder provided thereon for abutment with the end of the insulation on an electric wire when inserted between said jaws, and a gauge projecting from the narrow upper end portion of said frame member on the opposite side of the die from said jaws, having a portion spaced a predetermined distance from said jaws to indicate the length of stripped wire required to form a loop.

8. A device as set forth in claim 6, including spring means acting between the outer end of said narrow upper end portion and said diecarrying slide, tending to move the latter to retracted position. I

9. In a hand-operable wire-bending tool, the combination of a frame, a pair of handles pivoted relative to said frame, a pair of wire-gripping jaws, one of which is provided on the frame and the other of which is movable with respect thereto, means operatively connecting the movable jaw with one of said handles for movement therewith to wire gripping position in the closing movement of said handle, a die rotatable on said frame adjacent the jaws having a center pin and another pin projecting therefrom in radially spaced relation to the center pin to bend wire around the center pin in the rotation of the die, a slide supporting said die for lineal movement transversely with respect to a wire gripped in said jaws, means limiting such lineal movement, means operatively connecting said slide and die with the other handle for lineal movement jointly and rotary movement of the die alone thereafter in the closing movement of said handles, and spring means for normally returning said slide to retracted position.

10. In a wire-bending device, the combination of a frame, wire-gripping means thereon, a rotary die, means slidable on the frame transversely parallel relation to the center pin between which the wire to be formed into a loop is adapted to be extended from the gripping means, a pair of operating handles adapted to be moved relative to said frame to opened or closed position, means operable by said handles in their closing movement for giving the slide lineal movement and the die rotary movement, and spring means for normally returning said slide to retracted position.

11. In a wire-bending tool, the combination of a frame, a pair of handles pivoted relative to said frame, a pair of wire-gripping jaws operable by closing the handles, a die rotatable on said frame adjacent the jaws having a center pin and another pin projecting therefrom in radially spaced relation to the center pin to bend wire around the center pin in the rotation of the die, said die being also operable by closing the handles, one of said jaws having a shoulder provided thereon for abutment by the end of the insulated portion of an electric wire preliminary to the gripping of said insulated portion, and a gauge projecting from said frame on the opposite side of said die from said jaws and at a predetermined distance therefrom for indicating the length of stripped wire required to form a loop.

12. In a wire-bending tool, the combination of a frame, a pair of handles pivoted relative to said frame, a pair of wire-gripping jaws operable by closing the handles, a die rotatable on said frame adjacent the jaws having a center pin and another pin projecting therefrom in radially spaced relation to the center pin to bend wire around the center pin in the rotation of the die, a slide supporting said die forlineal movement transversely with respect to a wire gripped in said jaws, and means limiting such lineal movement, said slide and die being also operable by closing said handles and being arranged to have lineal movement jointly and rotary movement of the die alone thereafter in the closing movement of said handles.

13. A wire terminal loop former, comprising a hollow frame member having a relativel narrow upper end portion and a relatively wide lower end portion, handles pivotally mounted in the opposite sides of the wider lower end portion of said frame member, spring means normally spreading said handles apart, a fixed jaw on the narrow upper end portion of said frame member, a movable jaw spaced therefrom carried on a slide guided in the narrow upper end portion of said frame member, another slide guided for reciprocatory movement in the narrow upper end portion of said frame member in a direction transversely relative to a wire gripped between said jaws, a die rotatably mounted on the latter slide carrying a center pin and another pin in radially spaced relation to the center pin, a rack and pinion for transmitting reciprocatory and rotary movement to said die, and means operatively connecting the rack and first slide with said handles for reciprocation in the closing movement of the handles.

14. A device as set forth in claim 13, wherein one of said jaws has a shoulder provided thereon for abutment with the end of the insulation on an electric wire when inserted between said jaws, and a gauge projecting from the narrow upper end portion of said frame member on the opposite 7 side of the die from said jaws, having a portion spaced a predetermined distance from said jaws to indicate the length of stripped wire required to form a loop.

15. A device as set forth in claim 13, including spring means acting between the outer end of said narrow upper end portion and said diecarrying slide, tending to move the latter to retracted position.

16. In a wire-bending device, the combination of a frame, wire-gripping means thereon, a rotary die, a slide slidable to a predetermined limited extent on the frame transversely with respect to the wire gripped by said gripping means rotatably supporting said die, a center pin projecting from said die and a companion pin on said die in radially spaced substantially parallel relation to the center pin between which the wire to be formed into a loop is adapted to be extended from the gripping means, a pinion for turning said die, and a rack meshing with said pinion and reciprocable relative to said slide so as to transmit lineal movement to the slide to its limit position and thereafter turn the die through a predetermined angularity.

17. In a wire-bending device, the combination of a frame, wire-gripping means thereon, a rotary die, a slide slidable to a predetermined limited extent on the frame transversely with respect to the wire gripped by said gripping means rotatably supporting said die, a center pin projecting from said die and a companion pin on said die in radiall spaced substantially parallel relation to the center pin between which the wire to be formed into a loop is adapted to be extended from the gripping means, a pinion for turning said die, a rack meshing with said pinion and reoiprocable relative to said slide so as to transmit lineal movement to the slide to its limit position and thereafter turn the die through a predetermined angularity, a stop on said wiregripping means for engagement by the end of the insulated portion of an electric wire, and a gauge on said frame on the opposite side of said die from said gripping means and in a predetermined spaced relation thereto for indicating the length of stripped wire required to form a loop.

18. In a wire-bending device, the combination of a frame, wire-gripping means thereon, a rotary die, a slide slidable to a predetermined limited extent on the frame transversely with respect to the wire gripped by said gripping means rotatably supporting said die, a center pin projecting from said die and a companion pin on said die in radially spaced substantially parallel relation to the center pin between which the wire to be formed into a loop is adapted to be extended from the gripping means, a pinion for turning said die, a rack meshing with said pinion and reciprocable relative to said slide so as to transmit lineal movement to the slide to its limit position and thereafter turn the die through a predetermined angularity, and spring means for normally returning said slide to a retracted position.

0. LAWRENCE SHERMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 582,283 Grimes May 11, 1897 781,597 Glassco Jan. 31, 1905 877,510 Marsh Jan. 28, 1908 1,020,582 Straus, Jr. Mar. 19, 1912 1,119,211 Young Dec. 1, 1914 1,283,453 Barry Nov. 5, 1918 

